--- title: "While you were sleeping: 20 December 2017" description: "SG position threatens entire conference, US tax reform to be rammed through, and Saudi king targeted in Houthi attack." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Newsdeck" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-12-20-while-you-were-sleeping-20-december-2017/" published: "2017-12-20T05:57:21" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 777 --- # While you were sleeping: 20 December 2017 > SG position threatens entire conference, US tax reform to be rammed through, and Saudi king targeted in Houthi attack. By John Stupart · Published 20 December 2017, 07:57 SAST ## Content **Wednesday, 20 December 2017** *“You at this time can only be destroyed by yourselves, from within and not from without. You have reached the point where the victory is to be won from within and can only be lost from within.”* **Marcus Garvey** ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/8D/744/928/csimport/849x493q70Trainsppotter-Ramabuza-photo.050612.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [TRAINSPOTTER: How the ANC managed to birth the Ramabuza monstrosity](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-p/) By RICHARD POPLAK As it arrived at the 54th National Electoral Conference in Nasrec, Gauteng, the ANC was speeding not towards a crossroads, but straight at a T-junction. On the right was a candidate and a slate with a level of competence who, to some greater or lesser extent, would have ended the Zuma era and returned the country to a version of credibility. On the left, a continuation and a deepening of the gangster state, with the same old don and some new players. Instead of picking a direction, the ANC careened into the stop sign and exploded on impact. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [NEC votes counted while ANC spins](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-x/) The final day of the ANC elective conference will begin in a flurry of vote queries, media harassment, and general pandemonium. What started as a comedy of delays has devolved into a tragedy of missed voters, questionable results and very little time to sort any of it out before the conference ends. And end it must, followed swiftly thereafter by a potential flood of legal action to challenge the top six positions. [Republicans seek to ram through tax bill](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-m/) After it was passed in the House of Representatives, Republicans are looking to force President Donald Trump's new tax bill through the Senate today. The bill's latest incarnation was shown just one week ago, allowing little time for meaningful analysis. Initial expectations are that the measures proposed would add $1.5-trillion to the United States' debt, and personally benefit Trump. The Empire, it seems, is striking back. Fast. [Mexico bus crash kills 11 people](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-c/) A bus carrying tourists from a cruise ship has run off the road in Mexico, killing 11. The bus had been travelling along the Mexican Caribbean coast and had accidentally driven off a straight stretch of road. Another 20 tourists were also injured in the accident. Tour operators involved have not yet explained why the bus had veered off the road. [Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi missile](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-q/) Saudi authorities have stated that they intercepted a missile launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Officials claimed the missile had been aimed directly at Saudi King Salman's residence. The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley took a break from vetoing a resolution cancelling Jerusalem as capital of Israel to threaten Iran with action in retaliation. IN NUMBERS 1 The average number of tourists who die per week on vacation in Hawaii. FACTS OF THE DAY **Today in 1995 Nato begins peacekeeping** operations in Bosnia. **Ed Sheeran considers Eminem**one of his greatest musical inspirations. FEATURED ARTICLES ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Carien-du-Plessis-on-stalemate.jpg) [#ANCdecides2017: Stalemate in the fight over secretary-general election could put the entire conference under threat](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-v/) BY CARIEN DU PLESSIS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70grootes-Day4.jpg) [#ANCdecides2017: Reporter’s notebook – A party that can’t fix its own election can’t fix a national one either (surely?)](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-s/) BY STEPHEN GROOTES ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70rebecca-genderbender.jpg) [#ANCdecides2017 Analysis: Women’s League does no favour to serious problems in ANC gender agenda](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-w/) BY REBECCA DAVIS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70news24-pauwSARS.jpg) [Jacques Pauw: SARS’ court application against writer ‘conceded the truth’ – NB Publishers](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-yh/) BY NEWS24 ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70nicolson-ANCMedia.jpg) [#ANCdecides2017 Analysis: Media isolation a symbol of ANC paranoia](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-yu/) BY GREG NICOLSON ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70IMAGE-14MAIN.jpg) [#ANCdecides2017 in Pictures: Four days of drama, shock results and much waiting](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-jr/) BY DAILY MAVERICK ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70carien-Ace-new-logo.jpg) [#ANCDecides2017: 'Missing' votes could tip SG position in favour of Mchunu](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-jj/) BY CARIEN DU PLESSIS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Gina-capewater.jpg) [Op-Ed: Cape Town’s bid to lock down the water crisis](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-ji/) BY GINA ZIERVOGEL OPINIONISTAS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Oscar-van-Heerden.jpg) [Veni, vidi, vici – ‘Tis the season to be jolly](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-jh/) A column by OSCAR VAN HEERDEN ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70e41a4dfa4a643c00376ac2cc63396bfb.jpg) [How the new ANC leadership can 'recall' Zuma as president of South Africa](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-ju/) A column by PIERRE DE VOS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Mzukisi-Qobo.jpg) [Ramaphosa’s mettle and political skill will be severely tested over next 18 months](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-tr/) A column by MZUKISI QOBO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70562c5ffb4076dfd1ddee1be88f4bf94a.jpg) [Polar Bears: How a video can tell a lie](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-tj/) A column by IVO VEGTER ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Judith-February.jpg) [Cyril Ramaphosa, the Great Negotiator, has his work cut out for him to stop the rot](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuhigt-l-ti/) A column by JUDITH FEBRUARY — **Weather** BFN: min: 17° max 32°, cloudy CPT: min: 15° max: 28°, sunny DBN: min: 16° max: 22°, cloudy EL: min: 16° max: 26°, cloudy JHB: min: 16° max: 26°, rainy KIM: min: 21° max: 35°, cloudy MHK: min: 19° max: 30°, sunny PMB: min: 15° max: 26°, cloudy PE: min: 14° max: 29°, cloudy PTA: min: 14° max: 26°, cloudy **Financial Data** Oil=$63.77 Gold=$1,261.76 Platinum=$914.65 R/$=12.71 R/€=15.05 R/£=17.01 BTC/$=18,004 JSE All Share=58,170.44 DJIA=24,750.68 FTSE 100=7,544.09